Holmen's nature conservation strategy combines active forestry with protecting the diversity of habitats and species. The goal is that all naturally occurring plants and animals can survive in the forest landscape in the long term.
To assess the biodiversity in the forest, several habitats that are important for forest-dwelling species are analysed. Together with other forest companies and authorities, five indicators have been identified to show how key environments change over time.
Holmen's environmental and energy policy specifies how environmental work is to be organised and conducted. In the event of disturbances, the environment must be prioritised over production. In both ongoing and completed operations, the environmental impact must be acceptable to people and the environment.
Holmen's forestry will be conducted with a view to high and sustainable production of wood raw materials so that the growing forest and its products contribute to a positive climate impact.
Holmen's Knowledge Forests are land that we have designated specifically to collect and disseminate knowledge about the forest. Each landscape section is selected because of its specific biological conditions.
It is also our way of showing that sustainable forestry can contribute to growth and at the same time increase biodiversity in the forest. Because responsible forestry is not about living off the forest – it's about living with it.
Together with Finland, Sweden is the most forested country in Europe, with almost 70 percent forest land and a well-developed forest industry.
According to the Biodiversity Index*, Sweden also has good conditions for functioning ecosystems with an index of just over 95 percent. This compares with the global average of 77 percent, significantly lower than the 90 percent that is considered sustainable.
The index also shows that the conditions for biodiversity in Sweden have improved over the past 50 years.
*The Biodiversity Index is based on the world's largest database on how ecological communities have been affected by humans and is used to monitor biodiversity in different regions.